Queensgate Market Hall has been awarded the highest honour of the Concrete Society. The 1970 building has been awarded
the society’s prestigious Certificate of Excellence for a mature structure (1).

At a gala awards dinner in Mayfair on Friday 2 November the society's president announced that, "The 21 hyperbolic
concrete shells of the Queensgate Market Hall in Huddersfield are iconic in their structural form.

"In many ways the method of construction was significant and the forerunner to several other structures.

"In the opinion of the judges, Queensgate Market Hall is a remarkable and splendid building in very good condition."

Huddersfield Gem co-founder and architect, Adrian Evans who entered the building for the award said, "Queensgate Market
was designed and built with confidence using a spectacular combination of architecture, engineering and art.

"It is the exemplar of 1960's retail design. It is credit to the designers, builders and engineers that their work
has been recognised by a construction industry 'Oscar'.

"The building was listed when it was just 35 years old and now it has been recognised as the very best concrete
construction after 37 years. It is an amazing achievement and the first ever Concrete Society award for West Yorkshire.

"It is of great concern that the owners, Kirklees Council propose to demolish over 1/3 of the building in order to
build a shopping mall. It is time that the unique qualities of the building are recognised and due care be given to
ensure that it is preserved and developed sensitively.

"All the stakeholders should look for regeneration proposals that celebrate and make best use of this unique and
beautiful structure. The significance of the listed building includes the internal and external sculptures, the
uninterrupted suspended glazing and the fantastic shell roofs."

At the awards excellence certificates were presented by Brian Blessed to Cllr Kenneth Sims, Kirklees Council (owners);
Mrs Sheila Roberts, widow of Gwyn Roberts on behalf of Seymour Harris Architecture (project architects) and Mr Joe
Nicholls formerly of Leonard and Partners (project engineers) at the awards.

Huddersfield Gem aims to study, promote and ensure the future of the Queensgate Market Hall and the Huddersfield Co-operative extension. Gem will work in partnership with other groups and organisations to identify the best options for the buildings and users.